Like he said- until you get some analysis done on your engine- and you know how engine oil will degrade-Id do changes on a more regular basis.
Since I dont have a traverse yet- I cant tell you how often I would do it with this engine. But Ive seen some analysis posted online and they do seem to go through the oil quickly.... NOW- it could be that the analysis weve seen are those of people who are posting because they were less than stellar.... But maybe weve yet to see many more where they are very good... We just need to see more analysis reports with the DI 3.6 to get a very good idea of how these engines are as a whole... we cant just base it all on a few posted bad results when for all we know there are 100 good results.
Being that the Traverse is in its 1st model year- it is still new.... we can only hope more members get oil analysis done....
On that note---- ill give you an example. I have an 03 Trailblazer with the 4.2 l inline 6.
I do follow the OLM. (I dont have the DIC to show %- but only have the light to show that I now need an oil change).
An oil and filter change on this Inline 6- requires 7 quarts of oil. In about 1500 miles--- I will hit 150,000. The engine still runs great, pulls hard, and idles smoothly. I just had a California smog inspection- and it passed with flying colors.
How long does the oil last in my car before I change it..... 10,500 to 11,500 miles..... and I only use regular oil!.
The engine uses practically no oil between those 11,000 miles. Ive never had to add any. and when I drain the oil- I remove about 6.5 quarts.
So--- for this 4.2 L engine-- I really trust the OLM.
So when I get my Traverse-- I will base my oil changes on detailed oil analysis I get....
below are 2 oil analysis I had done on my Trailblazer.
One was shy of 104,000... the other was at 146,XXX.
The reason I did one shy of 150,000 is because if it came back good--- I would keep the Trailblazer-- and buy a Traverse.. if it came back bad--I would trade her in as a down on the traverse.... It came back good---- so im keeping the Trailblazer
Note that silicon came in higher than before--- This lead me to look and I did find that the cover to the air filter was not seated right- and allowing some dust to get in.
so--- get some oil analysis done- and then go from there. The OLM is very precise on my trailblazer.